About the Festival
We began quite modestly in 2003, with a festival that only half filled the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff for a two-day event. In 2004 we came out of the gates much stronger and filled the theater for two full days and nights of film. We also started our Student Program, which brought educationally stimulating films to Flagstaff middle and high school students.
The festival expanded to 4 days and nights of film in 2005 and drew crowds from all over the state of Arizona. In 2006 we were able to draw on the success of 2005 and bring in several filmmakers to introduce and present their films.
2007 was an especially great year for us with the expansion of our Student Program and the addition of an Environmental Program and late-night Extreme Sports Program. In the Environmental Program we dedicated a complete day and night of the festival to a particular environmental concern, highlight an environmental feature and create an expert panel to address the chosen topic, which in 2007 was the global water crisis.
In 2007 we also honored the great environmental activist Martin Litton, who gave a moving presentation and received standing ovations for his work in saving the Colorado River from being dammed within Grand Canyon National Park.
In 2008 we focused on ANWR and Energy Usage Issues for our Environmental Program and brought in Dale Djerassi to present his film Oil on Ice, and lead the panel discussion that followed. We also expanded our Student Program to meet the increased demand and once again presented a dynamic and well-attended Extreme Sports program.
In 2009, we introduced two wonderful new programs made possible by a grant from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
One of those programs was a three day filmmaking seminar on the Hopi Reservation.
The program was extremely successful and we hope to provide this type of support again in the future.
In a similar light, 2009 began our new Emerging Filmmakers Program. This program allows high school aged students to learn about the process of filmmaking. Through a series of tutorials and access to film equipment and filmmaker mentors, the students created films, one of which was showcased at the 2010 festival.
Power in the Pristine made its debut at the 2010 festival. The film follows a team of passionate and talented folks from the Southwest who are fighting to “keep Patagonia wild.” The filmmakers who include professional athlete, Timmy O’Neill and luminary writer, Craig Childs immerse themselves into this remote region of Chile. Craig Childs, adventure author and commentator for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, enchanted festival attendees with two spoken word performances.
The 2010 four day event included numerous guest filmmakers, an ‘extreme’ late-night program featuring high energy sport films, a local filmmaker/themed session, numerous student film submissions and a hugely successful Student Program and Emerging Filmmaker Program.
Last year, for the first time we expanded our venues to include the Sundara Theater as well as a showcase at Northern Arizona University. With this expansion, we were able to show 59 films from around the world and allow for more interactive panels from filmmakers, experts in the content of the films as well as audience members.
Our Emerging Filmmaker Program showcased their film (created by local students) Green Waste about what how our community is doing its part to protect our environment with its focus on recycling programs.
For our third year in a row, we will be having numerous sessions with focused film content. In 2011 we included focused programs from an Environmental Session to a session-focused on issues in the Middle East to Women’s Issues, Indigenous Voices, Global Focus, and even to a Bicycle Focus and Extreme Sports. Our film line-up and focused sessions will be announced in August of 2012 and as always will all be educational and inspiring and sure to cover a wide range of interests.
We couldn’t pull this festival off without the generous support of our Sponsors, Volunteers, and especially YOU!!!, so please explore our website, mark your calendars, and join us for the 10th annual Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival this October 10th-14th.